Film Academy Calls for Membership Huddle

Rare confab to bridge three cities

Attempting to engage its membership in a rare group discussion, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has picked May 4 for a simultaneous three-city gathering titled nothing less than “The Future of the Academy.”

An invitation from Academy prexy Hawk Koch and CEO Dawn Hudson to the special event, subtitled “Questions and Conversation with our Members,” was e-mailed Thursday, indicating that the confab would take place in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco at 10 a.m. Pacific and 1 p.m. Eastern.

“Details to follow” was the only additional text, and the Academy itself has had no comment. There are numerous topics that could be on the table, from rules for various Oscar categories and the nature of the kudofest itself to the Academy’s non-awards endeavors, but whether this will be just a pulse-taking or a platform for action is unclear.

The event will take place approximately three months before Koch’s single yearlong term as Academy president ends at the end of July. New board members will be eligible for election earlier that month. Hudson’s initial three-year contract as CEO runs through 2014.